Use of carbonates for biological and chemical synthesis

ABSTRACT

A system of using carbonates, especially water-insoluble or sparing soluble mineral carbonates, for maintaining or increasing dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations in aqueous media. In particular, the system generates concentrated dissolve inorganic carbon substrates for photosynthetic, chemosynthetic, or abiotic chemical production of carbonaceous or other compounds in solution. In some embodiments, the invention can also enhance the dissolution and retention of carbon dioxide in aqueous media, and can produce pH buffering capacity, metal ions, and heat, which can be beneficial to the preceding syntheses.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/665,249 filed Jun. 27, 2012 entitled “Mineral Carbon Sources for Chemical and Biochemical Synthesis,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. DE-AC52-07NA27344 between the United States Department of Energy and Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC for the operation of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Endeavor

The present invention relates to chemical and biochemical synthesis and more particularly to the use of carbonates for chemical and biochemical synthesis.

2. State of Technology

Autotrophic, aquatic organisms are commonly cultured to produce a range of products including food, feed, and chemical feedstocks. Considerable interest has also recently focused on the mass culture of such organisms for the direct or indirect production of fuels (biofuels). Because the preceding organisms usually synthesize organic compounds from inorganic carbon dissolved in the growth media, an adequate source of such carbon is critical for space- and volume-efficient biological production of end products. The internal biological demand for inorganic carbon can outstrip that which can be supplied via simple air equilibration with the media. This is commonly rectified by elevating the dissolved inorganic concentration in the media via equilibration with gas containing elevated CO₂ and/or the addition of synthetic, soluble carbon salts such as sodium carbonate or bicarbonate. Sources of concentrated CO₂ gas include commercial tank gas, CO₂ gas generators, and waste CO₂, in most cases derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. Use of such CO₂ sources therefore make the resulting biofuels dependent on fossil fuels, defeating one of the primary rationales for biofuel production. Furthermore, bubbling of gas into a solution is a relatively inefficient way of producing dissolved inorganic carbon, which can result in the loss of significant quantities of undissolved CO₂ to air. The use of commercially produced carbon salts, in particular sodium carbonate or bicarbonate, as a carbon source must be limited because of their relatively high production cost and fossil carbon footprint.

SUMMARY

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. Applicants are providing this description, which includes drawings and examples of specific embodiments, to give a broad representation of the invention. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this description and by practice of the invention. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed and the invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media including the steps of contacting and reacting a carbonate with an acid, collecting the CO₂ so generated, and contacting the CO₂ with said aqueous media thereby maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in the aqueous media for biotic synthesis.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide an apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media including a vessel in which carbonate is reacted with an acid, thus producing CO₂, a system of collecting and transporting said CO₂ to said aqueous media, and a system of contacting and reacting said CO₂ with said aqueous media thereby maintaining or increasing said dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in said aqueous media for biotic synthesis.

Other embodiments provide systems to generate soluble carbon salts from otherwise insoluble, inexpensive mineral carbonates, which are then added to culture media as a carbon substrate for subsequent biological synthesis. Such embodiments can also provide low cost pH buffering capacity, alkalinity, metal ions, and heat that can be beneficial for such synthesis. The conversion of CO₂ gas to dissolved inorganic carbon is also hastened by the aforementioned maintenance or elevation of pH and alkalinity. Thus, embodiments of the present invention can provide more efficient, more beneficial, and less costly ways of adding, maintaining, or elevating dissolved inorganic carbon in aqueous media, and in some cases also reduce fossil fuel dependences in supplying such dissolved inorganic carbon.

The present invention may also be useful for efficiently and inexpensively providing elevated dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations and beneficial aqueous chemical conditions for abiotic, chemical synthesis of organic or inorganic compounds.

The invention is susceptible to modifications and alternative forms. Specific embodiments are shown by way of example. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular forms disclosed. The invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the specific embodiments, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating solution DIC (A) and pH (B) as a function of equilibrium pCO₂ in seawater and in seawater also equilibrated with excess CaCO_(3(s)). Initial: pCO₂=3.9×10⁻⁴ atmosphere (atms; air CO₂), DIC=2.0 mM, alkalinity −2.35 mM, pH=8.05, salinity=35 ppt, temperature=25° C., total gas pressure=1 atms.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating A—Solution DIC versus pH under circumstances where DIC is increased or decreased via CO₂ gain/loss alone, or where the solution is also equilibrated with excess CaCO_(3(s)). In each case the solution is seawater with initial conditions as in FIG. 1, and where equilibrium pCO₂ varies from 3.9×10⁻⁴ atms (air) to 0.1 atms. Dashed line denotes boundary above which CaCO_(3(s)) can be expected to precipitate from seawater. Arrows denote trajectories during CO₂ gain or loss. B—The enhancement of the CO₂ uptake rate via reaction 6 relative to reaction 4 under conditions identical to A.

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the CO₂ uptake rate via hydroxylation relative to hydration in unstirred seawater as a function of solution pH.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of acidification of mineral carbonates to generate CO₂ followed by DIC production.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of sequential carbonic acid and dissolved mineral bicarbonate formation.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of integrated carbonic acid and dissolved mineral bicarbonate formation.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of DIC production and biosynthesis integrated into a common vessel.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative example of DIC production and biosynthesis integrated into a common vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, to the following detailed description, and to incorporated materials, detailed information about the invention is provided including the description of specific embodiments. The detailed description serves to explain the principles of the invention. The invention is susceptible to modifications and alternative forms. The invention is not limited to the particular forms disclosed. The invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Elevated dissolve inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations are often required to maintain high density aquatic autotrophic organism cultures, for example as used in the biosynthesis of products such as food, food additives, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, and fuels (e.g., Brennan and Owende, 2010). Here DIC is defined as the sum of the concentrations of all forms of dissolved inorganic C in a solution:

DIC═[CO_(2(aq))]+[H₂CO₃]+[HCO₃]+[CO₃ ²⁻]  (1)

whose abundances relative to each other are dictated by well known, pH-dependent equilibrium reactions. Due to diffusion rate limitations, contact with air (currently 0.039% CO₂) can be an inadequate source of such carbon for high-density, high carbon demand biosynthesis. Previously described methods of increasing DIC include aeration of the liquid culture media with gas containing elevated CO₂ such as from commercially available tanks, CO₂ generators, or waste streams, e.g., flue gas. The addition of soluble inorganic carbon salts such as synthetic sodium carbonate or bicarbonate is also used. However, all of the preceding sources of DIC can be expensive, may have limited availability relative to biosynthesis scale, and unacceptably depress media pH (in the case of CO₂ addition). The invention describe here provides ways of alleviating some or all of these limitations by adding DIC and alkalinity from natural, abundant mineral sources of carbon that are otherwise typically insoluble or sparingly soluble in aqueous media.

While calcium and magnesium carbonates are the most abundant carbon containing-compounds on earth, they are usually insoluble in solutions of neutral or higher pH. These carbonates can be dissolved by acidifying with an acid that then releases CO₂ gas, e.g.:

CaCO_(3(s))+H₂SO_(4(aq))→CaSO_(4(aq/s))+H₂O+CO_(2(g))↑  (2)

The concentrated CO₂ gas so produced could be collected and used to equilibrate with aqueous media to elevate its DIC concentration using carbon thus derived from mineral sources. However, a potential negative in doing this is the cost of the acid used for the reaction and the fossil CO₂ footprint of the acid's production. Also, the addition of CO₂ to media is often an inefficient means of elevating DIC (undissolved CO₂ can easily escape from solution), and dissolution of the CO₂ can undesirably depress media pH. Use or disposal of the Ca salt and water formed in reaction 2 is an additional concern.

A second and preferred way of generating DIC from mineral carbonate is to react the carbonate with carbonic acid, H₂CO₃, e.g.:

CaCO_(3(s))+H₂CO_(3(aq))→Ca(HCO₃)_(2(aq))   (3)

In this case rather than generating CO₂ gas, bicarbonate ions balanced in solution by calcium or other metal ions are produced, resulting in an end product that only exists in dissolved rather than in gaseous form, and can therefore more directly and efficiently contribute to media DIC.

Carbonic acid can be spontaneously formed via CO₂ and water contacting:

CO_(2(g))+H₂O→H₂CO_(3(aq))   (4)

Indeed, combining reaction 3 and 4 describes a mechanism whereby excess atmospheric CO₂ is naturally (but slowly) consumed at global scales (carbonate weathering):

CO_(2(g))+H₂O+CaCO_(3(s))→Ca(HCO₃)_(2(aq))   (5)

Ways of accelerating this reaction to hasten CO₂ absorption and sequestration have been previously described (Rau and Caldeira, 2005, 2010; Rau, 2009).

Because the end product of reaction 5 only exists in dissolved form, it is clear that the bicarbonate concentration and hence the DIC of the solution in which this reaction is performed is increased. In fact the maximum DIC concentration attainable via both CO₂ and CaCO₃ equilibration (reaction 5) can be as high as 3 times that possible with CO₂ equilibration (reaction 4) alone for a given equilibration CO₂ partial pressure (pCO₂; FIG. 1A). That is, if culture media DIC is already being supplied via equilibration with elevated CO₂ gas, the resulting media DIC will be significantly increased if the gas and water are also equilibrated with a carbonate mineral. Alternatively, by this method as little as ⅓ less gaseous CO₂ will be needed to maintain a given DIC level. This can reduce the cost of supplying DIC because the cost of supplying alternative carbon via mineral carbonate can be fraction of the cost of commercially supplied CO₂ gas.

The formation of Ca(HCO₃)_(2(aq)) and its addition to the media also provides pH buffering capacity. For example, as the pCO₂ of the solution's equilibrating gas is increased, the resulting pH depression of the solution is greatly attenuated when equilibration with CaCO_(3(s)) also occurs (FIG. 1B). Furthermore, as CO₂ is subsequently lost from the solution via biotic uptake or degassing to the atmosphere, solution pH can rise to values above those of initial conditions in the CaCO₃ treated solution, in contrast to the case when solution DIC amendment is by CO₂ gas addition only (FIG. 2A). These features can be beneficial for subsequent chemical or biosynthetic processes that may be negatively affected by low pH, but require high DIC concentrations.

Such stabilization or elevation of pH and alkalinity is also beneficial for the formation of DIC from CO₂ gas. In addition to the CO₂ dissolution by hydration with water (reaction 4), CO₂ can also be dissolved into solution via reaction with hydroxyl ions, OH⁻:

CO₂+OH⁻→HCO₃   (6)

Because [OH⁻] increases in aqueous solutions with increasing pH, maintenance of pH above approximately 7.5 will hasten and make more efficient DIC formation from CO₂ gas. The effect of pH on the rate of reaction 6 relative to reaction 4 is shown in FIG. 3. Because the addition of CO₂ gas alone to unbuffered solutions significantly depresses pH and [OH⁻], methods of buffering and minimizing such pH change as offered by this invention are beneficial where CO₂ gas is used as a DIC source in aqueous media. This includes the use of dilute CO₂ sources such as found in air, where the speed of dissolution may be greatly enhanced by the invention, thus circumventing the need for more concentrated, more expensive, and/or more fossil-fuel-dependent CO₂ sources for DIC amendment. An example of such CO₂ uptake enhancement is shown in FIG. 2B.

Carbonate Sources

Any natural or synthetic metal carbonate containing the CO₃ ⁻ moiety may be used for the process. However, for reasons of cost and availability, the use of: 1) calcite (CaCO₃) for example as contained in limestone, marble, or dolomite, 2) aragonite (CaCO₃; e.g., shell material or sedimentary deposits), or 3) magnesite (MgCO₃; e.g., dolomite) are preferred. Such carbonate sources are typically insoluble or sparingly soluble in water at pH >7 and therefore not thought of as relevant sources of DIC. This invention provides means of dissolving such carbonates thus allowing their constituents to participate in subsequent aqueous chemical and biochemical reactions.

Forms and Utilization of DIC Supplied

While the principle form of dissolved carbon initially generated by the invention is either CO_(2(aq)) and/or HCO₃ ⁻, once in solution these compounds can be converted via equilibrium reactions to other forms of DIC depending on solution pH (eq 1). However, at near neutral pH the dominant form of DIC is HCO₃ ⁻. Biosynthetic processes utilize CO₂ or HCO₃ ⁻, or both. Reports of direct biological utilization of CO₃ ²⁻ are controversial. Thus, if an organism exclusively uses CO₂ as a carbon source, the addition of HCO₃ ⁻ to the organism's growth media can still be beneficial due to CO_(2(aq)) resupply via equilibration with HCO₃ ⁻. Organisms often use carbonic anhydrase to hasten such equilibration and hence CO₂ formation. Nevertheless, as biosynthesis proceeds and CO₂ is consumed, the pH of the solution will rise via loss of acidity supplied by CO₂ (FIG. 2A). At pH >9 the dominant form of DIC becomes CO₃ ²⁻ and the equilibrium-dictated proportion of DIC composed of dissolved CO₂ is greatly diminished. Those organisms dependent on CO₂ as a carbon substrate can thus become carbon limited unless they can efficiently produce CO₂ from still abundant HCO₃ ⁻ or can switch to direct HCO₃ ⁻ utilization. The pH of culture media can be adjusted to optimize the abundance of specific forms of DIC for biosynthesis by the addition of acids, buffers, or chemical bases to the growth media.

If solution/media pH rises, the concentration of CO₃ ²⁻ will also rise, ultimately saturating the solution with, for example CaCO_(3(aq)), potentially leading to the precipitation of CaCO_(3(s)) and thus a plateauing of DIC concentration and alkalinity (Morse et al., 2007; FIG. 2A). The same would hold true for MgCO_(3(s)) formation from solution. Such precipitation can be avoided via: 1) pH reduction, for example by adding additional CO₂, increasing carbonic acid formation, depressing pH, and thus lowering [CO₃ ²⁻], and/or by 2) the addition of carbonate precipitation inhibitors to the media, which may include phosphate, magnesium, or organic ions or other chemicals (Morse et al., 2007). As an example, abiotic precipitation of CaCO₃ is greatly inhibited in seawater by such chemistry, thus CaCO_(3(aq)) concentrations of as much as 18 times above saturation are possible.

As previously mentioned, the invention's ability to avoid significant pH lowering and hence [OH⁻] depression with the addition of DIC and the ability to effect pH and [OH⁻] elevation as CO₂ is consumed or lost enhances the rate at which CO₂ will dissolve into solution (FIGS. 2A, 3). This is advantageous for speeding up DIC formation from CO₂ gas supplied to the solution, including dilute CO₂ gas sources such as air, and it is advantageous for reducing undissolved CO₂ gas loses from solution.

Abiotic Synthesis

It is understood that the use of mineral carbonates for DIC production may be beneficial in providing starting compounds or substrates, buffering capacity, metal ions, and/or heat for abiotic, chemical synthesis of organic or inorganic compounds in aqueous media. Such production may include plastics, pharmaceuticals, fuels, and chemical feed stocks.

The present invention is further described and illustrated by a number of examples of systems constructed in accordance with the present invention. Various changes and modifications of these examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the examples and by practice of the invention. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular examples disclosed and the invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The present invention is further described and illustrated by examples of methods, apparatus and protocols for DIC generation and addition.

EXAMPLE 1 Acidification of Carbonates—CO₂ & DIC Production

Referring to FIG. 4, a system for acidification of mineral carbonates to generate CO₂ followed by DIC production is illustrated. A carbonate reactor is designated generally by the reference numeral 100. As illustrated in FIG. 4, crushed limestone is added to a vessel 102 into which dilute sulfuric acid solution 110 is subsequently slowly added. Limestone particles 104 are in the vessel 102 and a system for salt and water removal 114 is provided. The vessel is designed with a headspace 106 that allows the collection of the resulting CO₂ gas 116 as it evolves from the solution, and if necessary the vessel is at least partly submerged in the water bath 112 to dissipate heat generated by the exothermic acid reaction with the carbonate. If desired, this waste heat can be used via conventional means to maintain or elevate the temperature of the culture media or can be used for other purposes. Facilities for limestone resupply 108 and spent acid solution (primarily CaSO₄ and water) removal are provided.

The gas 116 is piped to a bioreactor 122 containing growth media 126 and biota. A gas diffuser 118 produces a CO₂ stream 120 in the media 126 in the vessel 124. This CO₂ equilibration 120 elevates media DIC that concurrently or subsequently is then used as a growth media for biosynthesis, either in batch or continuous culture mode. The rate of media recycling, gas flow, and/or quantity of exposed limestone surface area can be used to control DIC concentration relative to DIC utilization or loss.

EXAMPLE 2 Carbonic Acid & Mineral Bicarbonate Formation

Referring to FIG. 5, a system for sequential carbonic acid and dissolved mineral bicarbonate formation is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a CO₂ reactor 500 receives gas containing CO₂ 506 that is bubbled through a vessel 502 containing sporadically or continuously flowing solution media from a bioreactor 524. A diffuser 508 produces a CO₂ stream 510 in the solution 504 in the vessel 502. The CO₂ partially or fully equilibrates with the solution forming carbonic acid 512.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a carbonate reactor 514 receives carbonic acid 512. The acidified media 512 is fed into a second vessel 516 containing crushed limestone 518 where the contact between the limestone and the acidified media results in dissolution of some of the limestone, forming calcium bicarbonate in solution 522. A system for carbonate resupply 520 is provided.

The now DIC-enriched media 522 is fed to a third vessel 526 (biosynthesis reactor 524) containing biota and aqueous media 528 where the DIC is used for biosynthesis. As biosynthesis proceeds the media becomes DIC-depleted. The DIC-deplete media is subsequently returned to the first reactor 500 and the cycle repeated. The rate of media recycling, gas flow, CO₂ concentration, and/or quantity of exposed limestone surface area can be used to control DIC concentration relative to DIC utilization or loss.

EXAMPLE 3 Carbonic Acid & Mineral Bicarbonate Formation

Referring to FIG. 6, a system for integrated carbonic acid and dissolved mineral bicarbonate formation is illustrated. In a CO₂ and carbonate reactor 600, gas 606 containing CO₂ is bubbled through a vessel 602 containing limestone particles 604 and sporadically or continuously flowing solution media from a bioreactor 616. The CO₂ partially or fully equilibrates with the solution forming carbonic acid that in turn reacts with at least some of the limestone forming calcium bicarbonate in solution. The now DIC-enriched media 612 is fed to a second vessel 618 (bioreactor 616) containing biota and aqueous media 620 where the DIC is used for biosynthesis. The subsequently DIC-deplete media 614 is returned to the first reactor 600 and the cycle repeated. The rate of media recycling, gas flow, CO₂ concentration, and/or quantity of exposed limestone surface area can be used to control DIC concentration relative to DIC utilization or loss. A system for carbonate resupply 610 and a system 608 for removing depleted CO₂ gas are provided.

EXAMPLE 4 Integrated DIC Production and Biological Synthesis

Referring to FIG. 7, a system for integrated DIC production and biosynthesis is illustrated. The system is designated generally by the reference numeral 700. As shown in FIG. 4, gas 706 with elevated CO₂ concentration is bubbled through a vertical column of submerged limestone particles 708 that is separated from the main body of a bioreactor 702 by a divider 710 that is porous to the bioreactor's media solution 704. The CO₂ partially or fully equilibrates within the submerged particle limestone column producing carbonic acid that in turn reacts with at least some of the limestone, forming calcium bicarbonate in solution. This solution passively diffuses into the main reactor chamber or is mechanically induced to do so via pumps, stirring, or agitation. The now DIC-enriched media is fed to biota within the main chamber that can use the DIC for biological synthesis of products. The subsequently DIC-deplete media is passively or actively returned to the limestone column and the cycle repeated. The rate of media recycling, gas flow, CO₂ concentration, and/or quantity of exposed limestone surface area can be used to control DIC concentration relative to DIC utilization or loss. A system for carbonate resupply 712 and a system 714 for removing depleted CO₂ gas are provided.

EXAMPLE 5 Alternative, Integrated DIC Production & Biological Synthesis

Referring to FIG. 8, a system for alternative, integrated DIC production and biosynthesis is illustrated. The system is designated generally by the reference numeral 800. In the system 800, gas 810 containing CO₂ is bubbled through a horizontal layer 806 of crushed limestone residing at the bottom of a bioreactor 802 containing biota and aqueous media 804. The CO₂ partially or fully equilibrates with the solution 804 via a gas diffuser 808 within the submerged particle limestone layer 806, locally producing carbonic acid that in turn reacts with and dissolves at least some of the limestone, forming calcium bicarbonate in solution. A system for carbonate resupply 814 is provided. This solution passively diffuses upward into the main portion of the aqueous media 804 and/or is transported 812 by the motion of unreacted gas bubbles emerging from the limestone layer into the main reactor chamber, or is mechanically transported via pumps, stirring, or agitation. The now DIC-enriched media is fed to biota within the bioreactor 802, which can use the DIC for biological synthesis of products. The CO₂ concentration, rate of gas flow, and/or quantity of limestone surface area exposed to acidified media can be used to control DIC concentration relative to DIC consumption or loss.

While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims. 

The invention claimed is
 1. A method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media, comprising the steps of: contacting and reacting a carbonate with an acid, collecting the CO₂ so generated, and contacting the said CO₂ with said aqueous media thereby maintaining or increasing said dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in said aqueous media.
 2. The method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media of claim 1 wherein said carbonate is a mineral carbonate that is water-insoluble or sparingly soluble, such as contained in limestone, calcite, aragonite, dolomite, magnesite, or siderite.
 3. The method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media of claim 1 wherein said acid is sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric, or hydrochloric acid.
 4. The method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media of claim 1 wherein said contacting of said carbonate with said acid is achieved within a vessel or container wherein said carbonate and said acid can contact and react with each other, producing CO₂ gas that can be collected and vented or pumped from said vessel or container.
 5. The method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media of claim 4 wherein said vented or pumped CO₂ is bubbled, injected, or otherwise contacted with said aqueous media, thus partially or fully equilibrating said aqueous media with said CO₂, hence maintaining or increasing said dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in said aqueous media.
 6. The method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media of claim 5 wherein said aqueous media containing said maintained or elevated dissolved inorganic carbon concentration is used in the biological or chemical synthesis of organic compounds such as hydrocarbons, fuels, plastics, pharmaceuticals, food, feed, or fiber, or is used in the biological or chemical synthesis inorganic compounds such as hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, bicarbonates, carbonates, salts, or cements.
 7. A method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media, comprising the steps of: contacting and reacting a carbonate with carbonic acid, generating dissolved inorganic carbon, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity from the said contacting and said reacting, and adding said dissolved inorganic carbon, said pH buffering capacity and said alkalinity to said aqueous media thereby maintaining or increasing dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in said aqueous media.
 8. The method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 7 wherein said carbonate is a water-insoluble or sparingly soluble mineral carbonate such as contained in limestone, calcite, aragonite, dolomite, magnesite, or siderite.
 9. The method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 7 wherein said carbonic acid is formed by contacting and reacting CO₂ and water, said contacting and reacting taking place in a container or vessel separate from said aqueous media, or said contacting and reacting taking place within said aqueous media.
 10. The method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 7 wherein said contacting and reacting of said carbonate with said carbonic acid is achieved within a vessel or container separate from said aqueous media, or wherein said contacting and reacting of said carbonate with said carbonic acid is achieved within said aqueous media, said contacting and reacting producing dissolved inorganic carbon, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity.
 11. The method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 10 wherein said produced dissolved inorganic carbon, said produced pH buffering capacity and said produced alkalinity are added to said aqueous media, thus maintaining or increasing dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in said aqueous media.
 12. The method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 11 wherein said aqueous media containing said elevated dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, said pH buffering capacity and said alkalinity is used in the biological or chemical synthesis of organic compounds such as hydrocarbons, fuels, plastics, pharmaceuticals, food, feed, or fiber, or is used in the biological or chemical synthesis of inorganic compounds such as hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, bicarbonates, carbonates, salts, or cements.
 13. The method of maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 12 wherein said maintained or increased inorganic carbon concentration is further maintained or increased by the addition of pure or diluted CO₂ gas to said aqueous media, which through chemical equilibrium reactions results in the addition of dissolved inorganic carbon to said aqueous media.
 14. An apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media, comprising: a vessel in which carbonate is reacted with an acid, thus producing CO₂, a means of collecting and transporting said CO₂ to said aqueous media, and a system of contacting and reacting said CO₂ with said aqueous media, thereby maintaining or increasing said dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in said aqueous media.
 15. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media of claim 14 wherein said carbonate is a water-insoluble or sparingly soluble mineral carbonate such as contained in limestone, calcite, aragonite, dolomite, magnesite, or siderite.
 16. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media of claim 14 wherein said acid is sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric, or hydrochloric acid.
 17. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media of claim 14 wherein said vessel is provided with a system of adding said acid and said carbonate and of removing said CO₂, said addition facilitated by ports, pumps, or gravity feed, and said CO₂ removal facilitated by vents or pumps.
 18. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media of claim 17 wherein said vented or pumped CO₂ is bubbled, injected, or otherwise contacted with said aqueous media, thus partially or fully equilibrating said aqueous media with said CO₂, hence, through chemical equilibrium reactions, maintaining or increasing said dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in said aqueous media.
 19. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration in aqueous media of claim 18 wherein said aqueous media containing said maintained or elevated dissolved inorganic carbon concentration is used in the biological or chemical synthesis of organic compounds such as hydrocarbons, fuels, plastics, pharmaceuticals, food, feed, or fiber, or is used in the biological or chemical synthesis inorganic compounds such as hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, bicarbonates, carbonates, salts, or cements.
 20. An apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media comprising: a vessel in which carbonate is contacted and reacted with carbonic acid, thus producing dissolved inorganic carbon, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity, a vessel containing aqueous media, and a system of adding said dissolved inorganic carbon, said pH buffering capacity and said alkalinity into said aqueous media.
 21. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media in of claim 20 wherein said carbonate is a water-insoluble or sparingly soluble mineral carbonate such as contained in limestone, calcite, aragonite, dolomite, magnesite, or siderite.
 22. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 20 wherein said carbonic acid is formed by contacting and reacting CO₂ and water, said contacting and reacting taking place in: i) a separate vessel and where the resulting carbonic acid is transferred by pump, gravity feed, or other system to said vessel where carbonate is contacted and reacted with said carbonic acid, or ii) said vessel where carbonate is contacted and reacted with carbonic acid.
 23. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 22 where the dissolved inorganic carbon, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity produced by said contacting of carbonate with said carbonic acid, is transferred, by pump, gravity feed, or other system to the vessel containing the said aqueous media, thus maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in said aqueous media.
 24. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 23 wherein said aqueous media containing said maintained or increased dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity is used in the biological or chemical synthesis of organic compounds such as hydrocarbons, fuels, plastics, pharmaceuticals, food, feed, or fiber, or is used in the biological or chemical synthesis of inorganic compounds such as hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, bicarbonates, carbonates, salts, or cements.
 25. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 23 wherein said maintained or increased inorganic carbon concentration is further maintained or increased by the addition of pure or diluted CO₂ gas to said aqueous media, which through chemical equilibrium reactions results the addition of dissolved inorganic carbon to said aqueous media.
 26. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 20 wherein said vessel where carbonate is contacted and reacted with carbonic acid is the same vessel as said vessel containing aqueous media, thus producing said dissolved inorganic carbon, said pH buffering capacity and said alkalinity directly in said aqueous media and thus maintaining or increasing dissolve inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in said aqueous media.
 27. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 26 wherein said aqueous media containing said maintained or increased dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity is used in the biological or chemical synthesis of organic compounds such as hydrocarbons, fuels, plastics, pharmaceuticals, food, feed, or fiber, or is used in the biological or chemical synthesis of inorganic compounds such as hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, bicarbonates, carbonates, salts, or cements.
 28. The apparatus for maintaining or increasing the dissolved inorganic carbon concentration, pH buffering capacity and alkalinity in aqueous media of claim 26 wherein said maintained or increased dissolved inorganic carbon concentration is further maintained or increased by the addition of pure or diluted CO₂ gas to said aqueous media, which through chemical equilibrium reactions results the addition of dissolved inorganic carbon to said aqueous media. 